The start of Sierra Leone’s 2025/2026 academic year could be delayed as the Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (CPSS) and the National Council of Head Teachers (NaCOHT) have warned they may not reopen schools unless key concerns are resolved by government authorities.

The warning follows a stakeholders’ meeting held on August 25, 2025, at the Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) office in Kenema. The meeting brought together executives of CPSS, NaCOHT, and district SLTU officials, who jointly adopted nine resolutions they say are necessary to sustain the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) programme.

The FQSE initiative, launched in August 2018 by President Julius Maada Bio, was intended to improve access to education and enhance learning outcomes across the country. However, education leaders at the meeting cited financial and administrative issues as challenges threatening its continued success.

Key Resolutions Presented to Government:

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Payment of subsidies: Government should clear outstanding subsidies for the 2nd and 3rd terms of the 2024/2025 school year and the 1st term of 2025/2026, while increasing the subsidy rate from NLe 10 to NLe 30 per pupil.

Reinstatement of suspended teachers: Teachers removed from the payroll by the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) should be reinstated and paid salaries for July and August.

Review of BECE results: The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) should review results amid concerns that some legitimate candidates were disadvantaged.

Clarification on WASSCE curriculum: MBSSE should issue a memo by August 30 specifying which curriculum will be used for the 2026 WASSCE exams.

Salary adjustments: Teachers promoted to senior positions, along with principals and vice principals, should be placed on the correct salary scales.

Performance-Based Financing (PBF): Government should ensure timely and consistent disbursement of PBF payments.

Promotion of school heads: Principals and head teachers currently on grade 9 should be promoted to grade 11 and placed on appropriate salary scales.

Alternative to subsidies: If subsidies are unsustainable, government should clear existing arrears and allow schools to collect fees directly from parents.

Conditional reopening: Schools will not reopen on September 8 unless at least two terms’ subsidy payments and other resolutions are addressed.

Lansana Brima, Secretary of CPSS, confirmed the unions’ decision to uphold the resolutions. He stated that their stance aims to secure the credibility of the FQSE programme, not to oppose government policy.

The Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education has not yet issued an official response to the resolutions. If no agreement is reached, thousands of pupils may be unable to begin the new academic year as planned.